Sanstead Retires | Video

Kristin Clouston | 12/4/2012

He`s worn a few different hats in his day, but after 46 years as a public servant, Wayne Sanstead is celebrating his retirement. The room was full when his retirement party started and they had to postpone the program by about 15 to 20 minutes because people kept coming in.

Sanstead`s grandkids call the capitol "Grandpa`s Capitol" because it`s the only place they`ve ever seen him work.

"I`m very sad you will be moving on because now people will ask me how long I`ve been hanging around here," said Governor Jack Dalrymple.

Sanstead has been Superintendent of Public Instruction for 28 years and is the longest serving state superintendent in the country.

"I think he needs to be commended for all he`s done. I mean he has not only been Superintendent of Public Instruction, he`s been in the legislature, he`s been Lieutenant Governor, he`s done much for North Dakota," said former First Lady Grace Link.

What does Sanstead remember as his proudest moment?

"The election in which both political parties ran candidates against me. On the wall is "Sanstead Gets Another Go" and that`s one that caused the most excitement," he said.

He says his wife Mary Jane is the one who should receive the honors, they`ve been married 55 years, 46 of which he was on the ballot.

"I`m so proud of him that I couldn`t pick one out. All the time we have had a really, really good time," Mary Jane said.

Sanstead`s motto is "Every Adult Needs a Child to Teach. It`s the Way Adults Learn."

"In all my years working with Dr. Sanstead, I think foremost and always he`s thought about the kids and I`ve just come to appreciate that so much," said Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction Bob Marthaller.

"He loves reading to children. That is the number one thing he loves doing and every time he gets an opportunity to be out in a school he never turns them down," said Sanstead`s executive assistant, Lynette Norback

Sanstead and Mary Jane say they plan to keep volunteering and do a little traveling on the side.

Dr. and Mrs.Sanstead also have a new cat, named Happy. He says he`s always wanted a cat so his granddaughter rescued one from the pound.

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